US Sailors Held Hostage Off Nigeria Freed – ABC News

Two American sailors kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Nigeria last month were released over the weekend and are on their way home, according to two U.S. officials.

The civilians, yanked from their oil transport ship by unidentified gunmen, were freed after negotiations successfully yielded a ransom payment, the officials said. They were both safe and healthy when released, the officials said.

State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki confirmed the sailors’ release and said the department “welcomes” the news. She declined to provide further details.